Combined blackboard and desk



(No Model.) 2 Sheets Sheet 1. L. DOLL. COMBINED BLACKBOARD AND DESK.

No. 549,846. 'Patentd Nov. 12, 1895.-

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WITNESSES: v INVENTOH A TTOHNEYS.-

ANDREW B.GRAHAM. PHOTOLITNQWASKIN GTONJ7 C.

(No Model.) 2, Sheets-Sheet 'L. DOLL.

COMBINED BLAGKBQARD AND DESK.

No. 549,846. 'Patented Nov. 12, 1895:.

V WITNESSES: 2

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LOUIS DOLL, OFDANBURY, CONNECTICUTv COMBINED BLACKBOARD AND DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,846, datedNovember 12, 1895.

Application filed January 24, 1895. Serial N- 536,069. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS DOLL, of Danbury, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and Im proved Blackboard and Game Apparatus, of which the following is a f ull,.clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to educational appliances, and its object is to provide a new and improved combination blackboard and game apparatus arranged to permit a child to conveniently use the device either as a blackboard for writing, drawing, and other purposes, or as a game apparatus, so as to combine study with pleasure.

The invention consists of a blackboard supporting on its under side a game apparatus,

' the board being pivotally connected at its sides with braces pivoted on a fixed support, the latter being provided with a series of notches arranged one above the other and adapted to be engaged by either the front or rear end of the frame of the said board, so

be hereinafter fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forminga part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the im provement in a raised position and for use as a blackboard. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same in a lowermost folded position. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the improvement in a horizontal position and for use as a blackboard. Fig. 4 is a like view of the same in position for use as a game apparatus, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cover for the game apparatus.

The improved blackboard and game apparatus is provided with a frame A, preferably made rectangular and supporting a blackboard B, of wood, slate, or other suitable material, to permit of writing or drawing on the top surface of the said board. The sides of the frame A carry hand-screws O, engaging slots in braces D, pivotally connected at their outer ends with cleats E, fastened to a wall or other suitable support at a suitable distance above the floor, so as to permit of placing the blackboard and game'apparatus in the proper position, according to the intended use. Each of the cleats E is formed on its front face and near the lower end thereof with a series of notches E, located one above the other and adapted to be engaged by the front or rear end of the frame A, so as to hold the frame and its board B in either a horizontal or inclined position, as will be readily understood by reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

In order to prevent sidewise shifting of the frame A and blackboard B, I provide the outer sides of the cleats E with plates E covering the ends of the notches E, so that the outer edges of the sides of the frame A abut against the inner faces of the said plates E (See Figs. 3 and 4.)

On each of the hand-screws O is held a hook F, adapted to engage a staple F, driven into the wall above the'cleats E, so that the hooks F can be engaged with the said staples to support the blackboard in an uppermost position, as indicated in Fig. 1, the blackboard then resting with its rear side directly against the said wall.

On the under side of the frame A, at the back of the board B, is arranged a game apparatus, preferably of the construction of a miniature bowling-alley, bagatelle-board, or similar game, the said game apparatus being provided with a casing or frame G, attached to the frame A and containing at one side the longitudinally-extendin g run G, in which operates a spring-pressed plunger H for firing the bowling-ball. The end of the run G opposite the plunger H connects with the arched cross-piece G for directing the ball into the well G in the lower end of whichthat is, the end near the plunger I-I-are set the bowling-pins I to be knocked down by the ball I fired by the plunger H. I do not claim any particular construction relative to this miniature bowling-alley, as the same is not new.

On the frame G, opposite the run G, are arranged compartments G adapted to be closed by sliding lids G and adapted to contain the bowling-pins, balls, or other loose parts of the game apparatus. A cover G for the frame G is provided on its under side with a checker-board G the said cover being adapted to slide in the frame G to close the bowling-alley when the same is not in use.

It will be seen that this device is very simple and durable in construction, and combines a blackboard and game apparatus in such a manner that a child can readily use either whenever desired, it being understood that the frame A can be readily turned at any time after being disengaged from the notches E 011 the screws 0, so as to bring either the face of the blackboard B or the game apparatus on top, as will be readily understood by reference to Figs. 3 and f.

lIavin g thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A device of the character described,comprising a board having a blackboard surface on one face and a casing or frame on the opposite face provided with a cover, braces piv otally connected with the sides of the said board and a fixed support on which the said braces are pivoted, the said fixed support being provided with a series of notches adapted to be engaged by either the front or rear end of the said board, substantially as shown and described.

2. A device of the character dcscribed,comprising a frame, a board held in the said frame, afixed support provided with notches closed at their outer sides,braces pivotally connected at one end with the fixed support and pivotally connected. at the otheinend with the sides of the said frame at or near their middle, and hooks held on the said frame and adapted to engage fixed staples, substantially as shown and described.

3. A device of the character described,comprising cleats fixed to a wall or other support and provided with notches and plates covering the outer sides of the notches, slotted braces pivotally connected with the upper ends of the said cleats, a reversible frame carrying at its sides set screws engaging the slots in the braces, and a board secured in. the said frame, substantially as shown. and described.

i-. The combination with the cleats fixed to a wall or other support and provided with notches, and plates covering the outer sides of saidnotehes, of slotted braces pivotally connected to the upper ends of the said cleats, a frame carrying at its sides set screws cngaging the slots in the said braces, a blackboard secured in the said frame and a casing arranged at the back of the board and provided with a cover, substantially as set forth.

LOUIS DOLL. \Vitnesses:

JOHN W. LANDEGON, GEORGE R. BEVANS. 

